IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Maddock, A.; Anderson, A.; Carlisle, F.; Galli, N.; James, A.; Verster, A.; Whitfield, W. | |
| Changes in lion numbers in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park | |
| 1996 Lammergeyer (44): 6-18 | |
A modification of the lion call-up procedure that attempted to avoid violation of mark-recapture assumption was used to estimate the number of lions in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. Call-up success rate was low compared with rates achieved previously. This was attributed to the current programme being extended into Umfolozi South where lions were unaccustomed to call-up. in the past, call-ups have concentrated on areas with greatest success. Fewer lions in Umfolozi may also have contributed to reduced success rates. The overall population estimate of lions in HUP is less than 65 compared with 107 (99-119) in 1988. Reasons for this decline include removals and possibly high cub mortalities. Circumstantial evidence suggests that disease and sperm abnormalities occur in this population. Inbreeding has been noted but there is no evidence linking inbreeding to population decline. Management of this inbred population needs to be considered. Two options are suggested. First, no management to observe the effects of inbreeding on wild population. Second, reintroduce "new" genes. If the second option is chosen, lions exposed to FIV must be avoided. |
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